Rate Of New Flu Cases Is Slowing

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 file photo, Carlos Maisonet, 73, reacts as Dr. Eva Berrios-Colon, a professor at Touro College of Pharmacy, injects him with flu vaccine during a visit to the faculty practice center at Brooklyn Hospital in New York. Health officials say nine more deaths of children from the flu have been reported, bringing the total this flu season to 29. In a typical season, about 100 children die of the flu, so it is not known whether this year will be better or worse than usual. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says half of confirmed flu cases so far are in people 65 and older. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

The worst of the flu season may be over, according to health officials across the country. The number of states reporting intense or widespread flu dropped again last week, and deaths from the flu or pneumonia have been dropping for two weeks. By some measures, flu activity has been ebbing for at least four weeks The Michigan Department of Community Health says the rate has slowed over the last two weeks. 558 cases have been reported this season, including five pediatric deaths. The department is being cautious on saying if this the flu season is slowing down. Spokeswoman Angela Minicuci says the peak is generally in late January or early February, but adds it will be a few more weeks before a definitive answer can be given.

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